Simple Gifts is a folk song that has been performed and enjoyed by many over the years. It is a song that has stood the test of time and has remained popular in both religious and secular contexts. But what is the meaning behind the song Simple Gifts? In this blog post, we will delve into the history and symbolism of the song, and explore why it continues to resonate with people today.
The Origins of Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts was originally a Shaker song written and composed by Elder Joseph Brackett in 1848. The Shakers were a Christian sect that was founded in 18th century England and later migrated to the United States. They believed in living a simple and celibate life, and were often referred to as the “shaking quakers” due to their ecstatic worship practices.
The song was originally titled “The Gift to Be Simple” and was part of a larger body of Shaker music that was mainly used in worship services. However, over time, the song gained popularity outside of the Shaker community and became a beloved folk song.
The Symbolism of Simple Gifts
The message of “Simple Gifts” is encapsulated in its opening lines: “‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free”. This message of simplicity and freedom is at the core of Shaker beliefs and is reflected in their architecture, furniture, and way of life.
The song celebrates the beauty of a simple life free from material possessions and the distractions that come with them. It speaks of finding joy in the simple things, and the peace that comes from living a life that is unencumbered by the constant pursuit of more.
The lyrics of the song also contain deep spiritual symbolism, such as the idea of turning to God through prayer and living a life of service to others. The line “when true simplicity is gained, to bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed” refers to the idea of humility and submission to a higher power.
The Legacy of Simple Gifts
Despite being written over 150 years ago, Simple Gifts continues to resonate with people today. Its message of simplicity and freedom is a timeless one, and its melody has been used in countless adaptations and arrangements.
Perhaps the most famous adaptation of the song was by Aaron Copland in his ballet score “Appalachian Spring”. Copland’s arrangement transformed the original melody into a sweeping orchestral piece that captured the essence of the Shaker spirit.
Simple Gifts has also been performed by countless musicians in a variety of styles. It has been covered by folk singers, rock bands, and even symphony orchestras, and has been featured in numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Simple Gifts is a song that continues to inspire and resonate with people today. Its message of simplicity, freedom, and spirituality is a timeless one, and its melody has become a beloved part of American folk music. Its legacy is a testament to the power of music to connect us to the past and inspire us to live more meaningful lives in the present.
FAQ
What is the history of the Simple Gifts hymn?
The history of the Simple Gifts hymn can be traced back to the Shaker community in Maine in 1848 when Elder Joseph Brackett wrote the song. The Shakers, also known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, were a small religious sect that originated in England in the late 18th century. They believed in celibacy, communal living, and pacifism, and their name came from the shaking and trembling that they experienced during their worship services.
The Shakers arrived in North America in the late 18th century in search of religious freedom. They established several communities across the United States, including one in Alfred, Maine, where Elder Joseph Brackett lived. It was there that he composed the song “Simple Gifts.”
The song’s melody and lyrics are simple yet powerful in their message. The melody is based on an old hymn tune called “The Lord of the Dance,” and the lyrics speak to the Shakers’ belief in simplicity, humility, and devotion to God. The opening lines of the song, “Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free / ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,” encapsulate the Shaker way of life.
Over the years, “Simple Gifts” has become an American folk song and has been performed and adapted by countless musicians and artists. One of the most famous adaptations of the song is Aaron Copland’s orchestral suite “Appalachian Spring,” which uses the “Simple Gifts” melody in its final movement.
Today, “Simple Gifts” continues to be a beloved hymn and a reminder of the Shaker community’s dedication to simplicity, devotion, and community.
What is the most famous Shaker hymn?
The Shakers were a religious group that emerged in the 18th century in colonial America. They had a unique style of worship that involved singing and dancing, and they created many hymns that are still beloved today. Perhaps the most famous of these hymns is “Simple Gifts.”
“Simple Gifts” was composed by Elder Joseph Brackett in 1848 while he was living at the Alfred Shaker community in Maine. The hymn is characterized by its simplicity, both in terms of its melody and its lyrics. The opening lines, “Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free,” have become famous in their own right and have been quoted in many contexts outside of the hymn itself.
The simple, repetitive melody of “Simple Gifts” makes it easy to sing and easy to remember, and it has been adapted into many different arrangements over the years. The hymn gained wider recognition in the 20th century when it was used as the basis for Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” ballet. The music and lyrics of “Simple Gifts” perfectly capture the essence of the Shaker philosophy, which believed that a humble, self-reliant life was the path to salvation.
In addition to its popularity among modern audiences, “Simple Gifts” continues to be sung by the few remaining Shakers today. While the Shaker community has all but disappeared in the United States, their legacy lives on in their music, including this most famous hymn.
What was the purpose of dancing clapping stomping and singing in a Shaker worship service?
The Shakers were a religious sect that originated in England and expanded to the United States in the 18th century. They followed a lifestyle that emphasized communal living, celibacy, and pacifism. The Shakers also believed in ecstatic worship, which involved singing, dancing, clapping, and stomping.
In a Shaker worship service, the community would gather together in a large room and sit in separate areas designated for men and women. The meeting would start with hymn singing, as the members would join in unison, swaying and clapping together. The Shakers believed that this act of rhythmic movement created a sense of unity among them and expressed their joy and gratitude to God.
As the worship progressed, members would sometimes break out into dance. Dancing was seen as a physical expression of the spiritual connection each member had with God, and it was believed to bring them closer to Him. The dance movements were often repetitive, simple, and circular in motion, and they were typically accompanied by rhythmic clapping and stomping. This style of dance was called “shaking,” and it is what gave the Shakers their name.
The Shakers believed that the physical movements they incorporated into their worship services helped to enhance their spiritual experiences by creating a sense of harmony, unity, and community. They believed that dancing, clapping, and stomping created a unique form of worship that went beyond words and expressed a connection with the divine that could not be achieved in any other way.
The purpose of dancing, clapping, and stomping in a Shaker worship service was to express and deepen the members’ connection to God. Through these physical movements, they believed they could experience a sense of harmony, unity, and community that helped to enhance their spiritual experiences. The Shakers saw these exercises as “beautiful and glorious” because their “unity and harmony” were “emblematical of the one spirit by which the people of God are led.”
Which ballet by Aaron Copland made use of the American Shaker hymn Simple Gifts?
Aaron Copland, one of the most important American composers of the 20th century, is renowned for works in a variety of genres, including orchestral music, chamber music, and film scores. Copland’s ballets, however, are among his most iconic and beloved works, celebrated for their fusion of classical tradition with distinctly American themes and sounds.
One of Copland’s most famous ballets is Appalachian Spring, which he composed in 1944 for the choreographer Martha Graham. The ballet tells the story of a young pioneer couple in rural Pennsylvania, and explores themes of love, community, and the struggle to build a new life in a wild and untamed land.
One of the most memorable and iconic elements of Appalachian Spring is the use of the American Shaker hymn Simple Gifts. Copland featured the tune prominently in a masterful set of variations, weaving it in and out of the ballet score to create a haunting and timeless sound.
The melodic theme of Simple Gifts serves as a musical thread running through the ballet, recurring in different forms and variations to reflect the changing moods and emotions of the dancers. At times it is played by a solo clarinet, at others by a choir of flutes or cellos, and at still others by the full orchestra.
The effect is both powerful and poignant, creating a sense of continuity and unity that binds the various scenes and movements of the ballet together. By drawing on this iconic piece of American musical tradition, Copland was able to infuse Appalachian Spring with a sense of timeless beauty and grace, making it one of the most enduring and beloved works in the history of American music.
What is the history of the Lord of the Dance song?
The Lord of the Dance is a popular song that has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The song was originally written by Sydney Carter in 1963 as an adaptation of the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts, which features in Aaron Copland’s ballet Appalachian Spring. Carter, who was a British songwriter and folk musician, was inspired by the story of Jesus Christ and the images of dance and movement that appear in Christian traditions. He wrote the song as a celebration of the power of dance and the human spirit.
According to Carter himself, the original inspiration for the song came from a statue of the Hindu god Shiva he saw in the museum of Indian art in London. He saw the god as a symbol of the power of movement and dance, and he felt that this was a universal human experience that transcended cultural and religious boundaries. He said that he saw Christ as “the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality.”
The song quickly became popular, and many Christian churches began to include it in their hymnals. It has since been covered by artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Celtic Woman, and has appeared in films, television shows, and even video games.
Despite its popularity, the song has also been the subject of controversy. Some critics have accused it of promoting a romanticized and idealized vision of Christianity, while others have criticized its focus on dance and movement over more traditional Christian themes such as redemption and salvation. Despite these criticisms, the Lord of the Dance remains a beloved spiritual classic that has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world.